Symbolism In Night By Elie Wiesel

The dark, mysterious and life changing setting the memoir Night, by Elie Wiesel contributes to the protagonist’s hardships between a spiritual character (God) and a minor character (his father).

Eliezer, the protagonist, is faithful meaning that he respects and is influence by his God. “Oh God…have mercy on us” (20) as Eliezer “[prays] to his God…for strength,” (5) when arriving to the Ghettos. However, when arriving to the man-made settings such as the concentration camps, the relationship starts to diminish. The setting alters Eliezer’s judgment and now relies more on God’s faith to help the people at the camps. However, God cannot fix what is created, which ends up assimilating most of the Jewish culture; for example the burning chimneys where people are executed. Thus, making Eliezer furious as he is witnessing his culture being mistreated yet God “[chooses] to be silent” (33) through these dramatic events. The setting contributes to the bitterness that Eliezer has with God

When both characters arrive at the man made setting, their relationship grew stronger as Eliezer “[wants] to stay with [his] father” (48) at all times. At first the setting bonds their relationship closer as no one else besides them care and look out for each other. In spite of them wanting to be together, the setting alters their personality and Eliezer starts to care for himself. For instance when his father is in a brawl at the concentration camp, Eliezer “watched and kept silent” (39). Even though Eliezer cares for him, he starts to see the weaker side of his father. Thus, having Eliezer protecting himself more than his father from the people surrounding him. Even though the setting contributes to them being self-centered, it does not mean they do not care about each other. Both characters are trying to do what is best for them opposed to doing what is best for each